Some State Employees Receiving Raises Next Week

HARTFORD — About 2,000 state employees will receive pay increases of 3 percent at the start of the new fiscal year next week.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration announced the news at 4:30 p.m. Friday, saying the raises would cost about $10 million.

State budget director Ben Barnes and Donald DeFronzo, commissioner of the state Department of Administrative Services, which oversees many personnel issues, told state agencies on Friday that various managers would qualify for the raises on July 1.

In addition, the managers will receive another pay hike that will average 3 percent in January 2015. That is part of the state's Performance Assessment and Recognition System, which covers written goals that employees are expected to reach.

The managers are now receiving lower raises than unionized employees under state contracts.

State legislators and top gubernatorial employees, including commissioners and deputies, will not be receiving raises next week.

"Connecticut's state managers did not get raises for five straight years, helping our state address its budget problems," Barnes said in a statement. "During that time, they, like other citizens, paid taxes, bought groceries and paid college tuition. It is only fair that they receive increases similar to those being received by the people who work under them. They are hard-working public servants who deserve recognition for their efforts."

Senate Republican leader John McKinney, who is running for governor, said, "At a time when people still don't have a job, state workers are receiving substantial pay raises. It's not their fault — it's Gov. Malloy's. He chose to hand out raises instead of fixing the state budget."

McKinney added, "When I'm governor, I will fix the budget problems. And eventually everyone will be in a position to not only have a job, but will look forward to a pay raise. We need big change in state government for that to happen."